Tuesday 2 September 2025
3 - 6pm
Venue: West Taieri Rugby Club, 102 Formby Street, Outram
Come and find out what's happening with flood protection in the Lower Taieri — now and in the future.
Drop in any time and chat with the ORC team about:
There will also be a presentation on a few topics around 4.30pm including projects underway in the area, and a few words from the chair of the Lower Taieri community liaison group, Simon Parks. Read more about the liaison group below.
Bring your questions and local knowledge — we’re here to listen.
You’ll find further information on these topics:
Flood protection on the Taieri Plain is crucial — for people’s safety livelihoods, land, and infrastructure. ORC manages a major flood protection scheme and two drainage schemes that reduce flood risk and supports land drainage across nearly 25,900 hectares — including Mosgiel, Outram and Henley.
The Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme was the first to be developed in Otago, with work starting as early as 1870. The East and West Taieri Drainage Schemes provide effective and reliable drainage for rural land in East and West Taieri.
In combination, the schemes include 107 km of floodbanks, 272 km of drains and 106 culverts and 6 pump stations built to reduce the risk of flooding. We maintain this infrastructure year-round to ensure it performs well.
We manage rivers to reduce the risk of flooding and keep waterways healthy. Our work supports the protection of people and property while maintaining the existing ecosystem.
We are maintaining and renewing infrastructure within across the Taieri schemes. Information on our projects and work programmes will be available at the drop-in and our team will be able to help with any questions you may have.
The Lower Taieri liaison group is an informal committee who work alongside ORC to:
Come along and take the opportunity to speak to members at the drop-in.
Feel free to drop us an email to engineering@orc.govt.nz or call us on 0800 474 082.
The Lower Taieri Plain has a long history of flooding, and development of drainage and flood protection works goes back to the early 1900s.
The East Taieri Drainage Scheme, divided by Silver Stream, directs northern drains to the Upper Ponding area and southern drains to the Lower Ponding area. Low Taieri River flow uses gravity drainage; high flows need pump stations.
The West Taieri Drainage Scheme, part of the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme, is bordered by the Taieri River, Lake Waipori, and the West Taieri Contour Channel. Unlike other schemes, it relies entirely on pump stations at Waipori, Henley, and Lake Ascog due to its low elevation, often at or below sea level.
The Lower Taieri Flood Protection and Drainage Scheme Liaison Group connects the Otago Regional Council with local communities to improve flood protection and drainage in the Lower Taieri area, helping keep people and properties safer from floods.
